One、The cracking of tile adhesive is what causes it.
Due to thermal expansion and contraction, all solid materials are affected by temperature changes. once the tile adhesive has hardened, it will also shrink in cold winter temperatures and expand in hot summer temperatures. Both tiles and tile adhesive are extremely hard materials. When the temperature gradually rises in the summer, the tile adhesive will crack, leading to a loss of bonding strength and the tiles detaching. More seriously, this can also damage the wall structure and cause cracks and aging of the substrate.
Two. Does using tile adhesive cause air pockets on the wall surface?
Possibly. If ceramic tiles are detaching, they may pull down the cement on the wall, which indicates a problem with the substrate mortar. If the ceramic tiles detach on their own, the tile adhesive remains on the wall, indicating a problem with the adhesion between the tile adhesive and the ceramic tiles. Consider using a release agent, or whether the tiles are full ceramic tiles, or the texture on the back of the tiles. For small areas or individual tiles detaching, you can re-bond them using structural adhesive or tile adhesive. If there is widespread detachment and air pockets, it is recommended to remove and re-install all the tiles.
1、Applicability of tile adhesive
The tile adhesive is suitable for bonding full-body tiles, not all types of tiles. Full-body tiles are characterized by their exceptionally low water absorption rate, essentially being non-absorbent. When laying these tiles, water soaking is not required. When bonding the tiles with tile adhesive, the tiles themselves are non-absorbent, resulting in strong bonding. Tile adhesives are also classified into A/B/C types, which differ in bonding strength and the tile sizes they are suitable for. Generally, small-sized full-body tiles can be bonded with type A, while larger-sized tiles require type B or C.
2、Installation of tile adhesive
When installing tile adhesive, the wall surface should be damp, with the inside dry. Then, apply the tile adhesive to the wall and attach the tiles. If the existing substrate (e.g., concrete mortar) has issues such as blistering, detachment, or crumbling, the tile adhesive, once it has set, will strongly adhere to the loose substrate, causing the tiles to become loose and detach. Therefore, it is essential to inspect the existing substrate before installation. Any areas with blistering or loose substrate should be removed and re-leveled with new concrete mortar. Additionally, if the wall surface is too smooth, the bond between the tile adhesive and the wall will be poor, requiring texturing or sanding before installation.
When applying tile adhesive, avoid applying it too thickly. A thickness of 0.5-1 cm is sufficient. Applying too much adhesive can slow down the drying process, result in poor adhesion, and cause excessive shrinkage, leading to air pockets in the wall tiles.
3、Non-porcelain tiles
Another important consideration is non-porcelain tiles, which require soaking before installation. These tiles have a certain water absorption rate and are typically installed using cement mortar. During installation, the tiles must be soaked before being laid. If non-porcelain tiles are installed using tile adhesive, the tiles will absorb the water from the adhesive, resulting in an unstable and potentially air-filled bond. It is recommended to use cement mortar to install these tiles for a stronger bond. A certain percentage of tile adhesive can be added to the cement mortar to further enhance the bond.
4、Tile release agent
When laying tiles, some tiles may still have release agents remaining. These need to be cleaned before laying. If the release agent is not removed, it can affect the adhesion between the tiles and the tile adhesive, leading to tile blistering and detachment. Removing tile release agent – Purchase tile release agent cleaning solution and dilute with water. Determine the amount of diluent based on the quantity. After dilution, place the tiles with the release agent on the surface in the diluted solution and soak for a few minutes. Remove the soaked tiles and wipe with a dry cloth to remove the release agent attached to the back.
5、Applying wall covering on the floor tiles
The patterns on the back of the floor tiles and wall tiles are different. The wall tiles have finer and more pronounced patterns, with the purpose of increasing the bonding area with the wall adhesive, ensuring better adhesion to the wall and preventing detachment. When using wall tiles cut from floor tiles or directly applying adhesive, it is best to use structural adhesive. For wall tiles in kitchens and bathrooms, it is preferable to use wall tiles that match or have similar patterns to the floor tiles.